Section 408.14006. Working in confined or enclosed work spaces that contain energized parts.

(1) When an employee works in a confined or enclosed space, such as a manhole or vault, that contains exposed energized parts, the employer shall provide, and the employee shall use, protective shields, protective barriers, or insulating materials as necessary to avoid inadvertent contact with these parts. Doors and hinged panels shall be secured to prevent them from swinging into an employee and  causing the employee to contact exposed energized parts.

(2)    Conductive materials and equipment that are in contact with any part of an employee's body shall be handled in a manner that will prevent them from contacting exposed energized conductors or circuit parts. If an employee must handle long dimensional conductive objects, such as ducts and pipes, in areas with exposed energized parts, the employer shall institute work practices, such as the use of insulation, guarding, and material handling techniques, which will minimize the hazard.

(3)    Portable ladders shall have nonconductive siderails if they are used where an employee or the ladder could contact exposed energized parts.

(4)    Conductive articles of jewelry and clothing, such as any of the following, shall not be worn  if  they  might contact exposed energized parts:

(a)   Watchbands.

(b)   Bracelets.

(c)   Rings.

(d)  Key chains.

(e)   Necklaces.

(f)  Metalized aprons.

(g)   Cloth with conductive thread.

(h)   Metal headgear.

However, such articles may be worn if they are rendered nonconductive  by covering, wrapping, or other insulating means.

(5)   Where energized parts present an electrical contact  hazard,   an employee shall not perform housekeeping duties at a distance that is close enough to the parts to create the possibility of contact, unless adequate safeguards, such as insulating equipment or barriers, are provided.

Electrically conductive cleaning materials, including conductive solids, such as steel wool, metalized cloth, and silicon carbide, and conductive liquid solutions, shall not be used in proximity to energized parts unless procedures are followed which will prevent electrical contact.

(6)    Only a qualified person who follows the requirements of R 408.14005 may defeat an electrical safety interlock, and then only temporarily while he or she is working on the equipment. The interlock system shall be returned to its operable condition when work is completed.

History: 1992 AACS.